Loretta Jean Hegstad, Aug. 10, 1955 - Feb. 7, 2013, of Columbia

By Memorial Funeral Home

February 9, 2013 | 10:57 p.m. CST

Loretta Jean Hegstad began her journey to heaven on February 7th, 2013 after a short but tragic illness at the age of 57. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at New Providence Baptist Church in Columbia. Loretta was born on August 10, 1955 in Jamestown, North Dakota. Loretta graduated from Hickman High in Columbia in 1973. She went on to receive her master’s degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1978. She retired from Lockheed Martin Space Missile in Sunnyvale California in 2011 and moved back to Columbia in 2012. Loretta is survived by her two daughters, Amanda Hyer and Allison Hyer, her parents, Margaret and Kenneth Hegstad, brothers, Donald Hegstad and Christopher Hegstad. Loretta is also survived by Donald’s wife, Geri, and their children Jennifer Herd, Brian Hegstad, John Hegstad and Susan Helming as well as Christopher’s daughter Beth Nelson. Loretta would have appreciated donations made to her favorite causes in her name: the Alzheimer’s Association and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She was an active participant in both charities and a 19-year survivor of breast cancer. She was surrounded by unconditional love upon her ascent from her earthly home to her new heavenly kingdom and she will be eternally loved and cherished. Online tributes may be left at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.